'Not until we get it resolved': Trump rules out trade talks with India

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said Washington won’t enter trade talks with India until the tariff dispute is resolved.

“No, not until we get it resolved,” Trump said in the Oval Office when asked whether he expected talks to resume following his administration’s decision to double tariffs on Indian imports.

Earlier, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State, Tommy Pigott, described the imposition of tariffs on India as part of a "full and frank dialogue" with New Delhi to push Washington’s key concerns.

“This is about an honest, full, and frank dialogue about real concerns that this administration has — concerns the President has outlined very clearly,” Pigott said during a press briefing.

“Addressing those concerns through his actions — he’s spoken about them, whether it’s about the purchase of Russian oil or about the trade imbalance. Addressing those concerns is important... The President has been very clear... Ultimately, this is about a frank and full dialogue,” he added.

This comes after Trump announced a 50% tariff on Indian exports to the United States — the steepest ever imposed on a major Asian partner.

Trump accused India of “funding Russia’s war machine” through continued crude oil purchases from Moscow and warned of further penalties if Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not halt the imports. The new measure follows Trump’s earlier 25% tariff on Indian goods, and a bill advancing through Congress seeks to authorize tariffs of up to 500% on any country buying Russian oil.

PM Modi, however, has shown no sign of backing down. Speaking at a national agricultural conference in New Delhi on Thursday, he said, “India will never compromise on the interests of its farmers, dairy farmers, and fishermen… I am ready to personally pay the huge price.”